Nectarine tree named ‘Pearlicious XVIII’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late August, with first picking on Aug. 21, 2018. The fruit is uniform, medium in size, sub-acidic and very sweet in flavor, oblate in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and has a bitter tasting kernel.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘PEARLICIOUS XVIII’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we,the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine,plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a smallernumber of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually tocapture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, which has been denominatedvarietally as ‘Pearlicious XVIII’.

In 2007 we made a first generation hybridization using ‘10G523’(unpatented) nectarine as the selected seed parent and ‘26P994’(unpatented) nectarine as the selected pollen parent. Upon reachingmaturity the fruit of this hybridization was gathered, and the seedswere removed, cracked; stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings ontheir own root in our greenhouse facility. Upon reaching dormancy wetransplanted them to a cultivated area of our experimental orchardlocated near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley).During the fruit evaluation season of 2012 we selected the presentvariety as a single tree trom the group of seedlings described above.Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, weasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original tree in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘10G523’ (unpatented)nectarine, by being self-fertile and by producing nectarines that arewhite in flesh color, that are clingstone in type, that are medium tolarge in size, and that ripen in mid to late August, but isdistinguished from it by having a small instead of large blossom and byproducing fruit that is much redder in skin color, that is substantiallysweeter in flavor, and that is firmer in texture.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘26P994’(unpatented) nectarine, by being self-fertile and by producingnectarines that are mostly red in skin color, clingstone in type, andsub-acidic in flavor, but is quite distinguished from it by producingfruit that is somewhat smaller in size, that is white instead of yellowin flesh color, and that ripens about forty days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Pearlicious XVI’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 25,828) nectarine by being self-fertile, by requiring about 550chilling hours, by blooming in the mid season, by having globose leafglands, by having a bitter kernel, and by producing nectarines that arewhite in flesh color, that are clingstone in type, that are firm intexture, that are sweet and sub-acidic in flavor, and that ripen in midAugust, but is distinguished therefrom by having a larger and morevigorous tree, by having a small instead of large blossom, and byproducing nectarines that are somewhat smaller in size, that are afuller red in skin color, and that are oblate instead of globose toelongated in shape.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a largesize, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearingtree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 550chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in late August, with first picking on Aug. 21, 2018. The fruitis uniform, medium in size, sub-acidic and very sweet in flavor, oblatein shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color,mostly red in skin color, and has a bitter tasting kernel.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, and two insetsdepicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appear on the tree duringthe blooming season.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Aug. 26, 2018, on the original tree during itseleventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were madethe previous blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘10G523’ (unpatented) nectarine.-   Pollen parent: ‘26P994’ (unpatented) nectarine.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 12′ [3.66 m.] and    a spread of 10′ [3.05 m.] after eleven growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding about average to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Pruned to a vase shape.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning usually necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer, with no crop failures observed.-   Chilling requirement: About 550 hours.-   Leaf bud burst: Medium to late, during the end of flowering.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 5″ [127 mm.]            after the eleventh growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] and            Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] variegation with Dark            yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr]. Average Size:            ¼″ [6.4 mm.] in length. The width is typically one fourth as            much as the length. Shape: Eye-shaped.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium, diameter of main scaffold is 3½″ [88.9 mm.]            measured 12″ above the crotch, diameter of limb is 1¼″ [31.8            mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth to medium on first and second year wood,            increasing in roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            2nd Year Wood: A Moderate brown [58. m.Br] and Light brown            [57. l.Br] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 45 on second year            wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average            Size: Medium, 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] in length. The width is            typically one fourth as much as the length. Shape:            Eye-shaped.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 6 1/16″ [154 mm.]. Average            Width: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 75 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth on both sides.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Red Midvein.—Absent.        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.            Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Vivid yellow green            [115. v.YG] becoming Moderate brown [58. m.Br] with age.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Alternate, first            pair is located at the intersection of petiole and base of            blade. Form: Globose. Size: Medium, about 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] in            diameter. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] becoming            Dark olive brown [96. d.OlBr] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            blooming season.        -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Tip color.—Moderate purplish pink [250. m.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations alternately    positioned.    -   -   Type.—Non-showy, small.        -   Average flower diameter.—1″ [25.4 mm.].        -   Average flower depth.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] when fully open.        -   Average pedicel length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Mostly five, extra petal fragments            occasionally observed.        -   Petal arrangement.—Not overlapping, separated.        -   Petal shape.—Oval to cuneate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded to slightly obovate.        -   Petal base.—Acute to rounded.        -   Petal color.—Light pink [4. l.Pk] toward the apex, Strong            pink [2. s.Pk] toward the base on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Deep reddish orange [36. deep rO] at bloom            onset.        -   Pollen.—Anthers produce an abundance of Very yellow [82.            v.Y] pollen.        -   Stigma color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Stigma position.—Typically located about even with the            nearby anthers.        -   Stamen position.—Typically located about 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]            above the petals.        -   Ovary.—Non-pubescent.        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer            surface. The inner surface is a somewhat translucent Pinkish            white [9. pkWhite] with both Grayish purplish red [262.            gy.pR] and Vivid yellow green [115. v.YG] areas visible.        -   Sepal length.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 5/32″ [4.0 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length            and width.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.        -   Average pistil length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Medium when compared to other varieties,            about the same day as ‘Grand Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            16,494) nectarine.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 24, 2018.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 3, 2018.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Bloom density.—Medium.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Shipping ripe, Aug. 26, 2018.-   Date of first picking: Aug. 21, 2018.-   Date of last picking: Aug. 30, 2018.-   Size: Uniform, medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—3″ [76.2 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—8.5 ounces [241 grams].-   Form: Uniform, oblate, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Oblate.        -   Axial view.—Round.-   Suture: A very shallow trough extending from the base, along the    side, and ending about ½″ [12.7 mm.] beyond the pistil point.    -   -   Near the base.—A shallow trough.        -   Along the side.—A very shallow trough.        -   Near the apex.—A moderate v-shaped groove.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped toward the apex on both sides.-   Lips: Fairly equal.-   Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side, Brilliant    greenish yellow [98. brill.gY] stem markings present.    -   -   Depth.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Breadth.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded, cordate when viewed parallel to the suture.-   Pistil point: Apical, negligible in length, depressed within the    suture.-   Stem: medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Non-astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Dark red [16. d.R] over a Pale greenish yellow [104.            p.gY] background with moderate Light greenish yellow [101.            l.gY] freckling toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—White [263. White] with Vivid red [11. v.R] streaking            next to the stone.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Vivid deep red [14.            v.deep R] broken fibers when twisted away from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Few, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Fairly even, earliest at the shoulders.        -   Flavor.—Sub-acidic, very sweet, typically 20 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oblong.-   Base: Truncate.-   Apex: Acute to rounded.-   Sides: Equal.-   Tip: Sharp, 1/64″ [0.4 mm.] in length.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward the    base.-   Ridges: Jagged.-   External color: Vivid dark red [17. v.d.R] when first removed.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Grayish reddish brown [46. gy.rBr].-   Cavity surface color: Strong brown [55. s.Br].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average length: 1⅜″ [34.9 mm.].-   Average width: 1″ [25.4 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅞″ [22.2 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Brownish orange [54. brO].        -   Pellicle color.—Dark brown [59. d.Br].        -   Vein color.—Deep brown [56. deep Br].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 17 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: Not tested.-   Resistance to diseases: Not tested.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Pearlicious XVI’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,828) nectarine by being self-fertile, byrequiring about 550 chilling hours, by blooming in the mid season, byhaving globose leaf glands, by having a bitter kernel, and by producingnectarines that are white in flesh color, that are clingstone in type,that are firm in texture, that are sweet and sub-acidic in flavor, andthat ripen in mid August, but is distinguished therefrom by having alarger and more vigorous tree, by having a small instead of largeblossom, and by producing nectarines that are somewhat smaller in size,that are a fuller red in skin color, and that are oblate instead ofglobose to elongated in shape.